Citalopram - what's everyone's experience please

[QueenofClean]

I've been started on citalopram for anxiety issues. Took my first dose last night 5mg a night for the first week increasing to 10mg next week.

What is everyone's experience of it and the side effects and how long they have lasted?

Thanks
QoC

I wanted the vivid dreams but haven't had them :-(

Some of my patients have told me the following. I'm not just going to reel off the spc as it's unnecessary. Have you seen the list for paracetamol? Ridiculous.

Ok - headache (often on stopping as well)
Blunting of emotions (mentioned upthread) Ie less volatile in public. No breaking down in tears but downside is ppl have described feeling 'phoney' as difficult to feel excitement, euphoria etc so having to fake these emotions in certain social situations. Basically you'll be able to cope better with stress but at the expense of emotion.
Upset tummy and insomnia are common in the early days therefore try taking it after breakfast.

Before you mnetters all question me I'm a pharmacist.

Good luck op it has helped alot of people but there are other pills out there if you decide this one is not for you.

Thank you nirishma. I'm on my 2nd day and doing okay so far. I take it at night with my dinner, in the hope it doesn't cause nausea.

nirishma - do you mean the numbness of emotions is an early side effect? Or do you think that could be incorrect dosage? I know its common to feel a bit flat or detached while your body gets used to them. I never felt a lack of emotion when I took them a few years ago (once they kicked in) I felt totally normal and pretty happy with life. Everyone will have a slightly different experience I guess.
I hope to god they help me this time!
QueenofClean - keep updating your thread it'll be good to hear how you're getting on with them

I do have another question. Do they sort of change your way of thinking? I have OCD too.

Back2Two - that is so good to hear. I love people's success stories! What was your dosage and how long before you felt better etc?

QoC - Yes when they kick in they improve your way of thinking a lot! They will still be your thoughts and personality but you will less troubled by the things that normally worry you and more positive. You can enjoy more and start to think the best of people and things. It's bound to have an effect on OCD because youre calmer and happier.

First week - horrible increase in anxiety.

After that - great. Could get on with life, felt like me again.

Negatives: I had no appetite regulation I was hungry all the time and put on a stone and a half!

Also when they increased my dose I became terribly depressed (I had been prescribed it for anxiety)

Was on it for 2 years, weaned self off slowly, am pretty much fully recovered now

I did have the craziest dreams ever too.

Hi Alchemist citalopram is sometimes prescribed to treat hot flush symptoms of menopause as an alternative to HRT. Perhaps a medication review is in order? Your first assumption about the HRT not being the right one for you is probably more correct...

Does anyone know what to do with a baby with night sweats? She soaks the sheets with sweats so she's thirsty but will only drink hot milk which makes her sweat more so I have to change the sheets again. OT moan sorry! < dashes off to rescue screaming bairn >

Hi V1oletsky, on them for four months now. Contemplating an increase in dosage, but giving it some more time to see if I improve after this bad week. I think it was due to a breakthrough in counselling and I need some more help/time to process it.

I've had the zopiclone for about the same amount of time (limited prescription but I've used very few) but they don't help and last time the side effects were bad and I was at an event at work, so felt like a right nit. Sominex is much better, but tbh I'd bloody love some temazipan

Ok that's good that my thinking will improve. As it takes over my life and not in a good way :(

It will help your thinking, Queen, but like PPs have said, talking therapy is really important as well for long-term recovery. It's really helping me. I'm not struggling by myself anymore.

I found that things I would get all het up about before didn't bother me nearly so much.

I believe my overthinking got less too.

Sparkling that's one of my biggest problems over thinking things.

What's talking therapy?

Talking therapy: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-a-z/T/talking-therapies/

I am having high intensity CBT and waiting for specialist counselling to address underlying issues. It's really really helpful. But it is hard.

I'll take a look at that link later thanks

feeling tired this afternoon. luckily we are having a day indoors, so PJ day and crash on sofa in front of F1 Quali.

hope everyone else is having a good day.

Last night was my 4th night of taking 5mg. Should I bite the bullet and up to 10mg tonight or stick with 5mg another few nights?

My GP made sure that most side effects (apart from the dry mouth) had subsided properly before putting it up.
:)

Good luck whatever you do.

Doing this gradually has made it possible for me - I have now been on 20mg for 6 days and it has been bearable throughout.

It has taken 6 weeks to get here though!

Ok so I should continue on 5mg till Thursday and then up to 10mg. I was told by my GP to take 5mg for the first week then up to 10mg.

Donki did your side effects get worse everytime you upped your dose?

Yes - they came back evety time, but the worst went after a few days. And none of it has been anywhere near as bad as the time the GP tried to put me on Citalopram before, but put me straight on to 20mg.

This time I was on 5mg for a week, then 10mg for 3 weeks, 15mg for a week and now 20mg (it willbe 1 week tomorrow)
All bearable.

Ok thanks. Hope you have a good Sunday.